Talking Tommi! - WRC legend.

Subaru's Tommi Makinen announced his retirement back in August, here members of the Subaru team pay tribute to 'their man' and one of the legends of the WRC - as he takes part in what could well be his final event, the Wales Rally GB...

Q:
What's Makinen like to work with?

Petter Solberg:
He's the most professional driver I've ever worked with. Despite being four-times World Champion, he's a very balanced and nice guy. He's always shared his rallying experience with me and I've learnt so much from him over the last couple of years. I never thought he was like that at all before I knew him! I can just look at him to learn.

Lorraine Glaister, catering manager:
Tommi's actually quite shy, although Petter's really brought him out of his shell, the pair of them are always laughing together, especially on the recces when things are more relaxed. He absolutely loves liquorice - he could eat a bowl of allsorts during one service! He's always very polite.

Pasi Hagstrom, gravel crew and test driver:
Working with Tommi has been fantastic. He's very honest and straightforward, so things are very easy with him, there's no messing around. I've learnt so much from him because of that. He's very open, and always tells it like it is.

Toshi Azuma, general manager Subaru PR/Marketing:
Working with Tommi has been a lot of fun and he's one of the most popular drivers in Japan. He's a reluctant star, but once you get to know him he's a great guy and we're going to miss him in Japan a lot.

Colin Clark, commercial manager:
Tommi is very amiable, very willing to work both on the driving side and from a marketing aspect. He's shown himself to be comfortable with the promotional side of things, happy working with the team's partners and embracing his role as an ambassador for Subaru.

Keith Taylor, Makinen's no. 1 mechanic:
I first worked with Tommi back in 1993 when we were both at Nissan, and to be back in the same team again is very special. Not many people have the chance to work with one of their heroes.

Paul Howarth, team manager:
Tommi likes things how he likes them, he wants things done to the highest standard, and that's how we work at Subaru. Throughout the last six months, Tommi's been very relaxed and has played a great role in supporting Petter. I believe one of the reasons Petter is where he is now is because of his relationship with Tommi.

Q:
What makes Makinen so special as a driver?

David Lapworth, team principal:
The statistics of Tommi's hugely successful career speak for themselves, and some of the performances he's put in during his time at the top are among the all-time classics. The number of wins he's achieved, compared to second and third places, is completely out of proportion to any other driver and that says what Tommi is all about, he's a winner.

Michael Zotos, Makinen's engineer:
Tommi has an absolutely incredible memory - better than any other driver I've worked with. It's unbelievable how he can remember the smallest details, like settings we changed three or four months ago on the car. He can tell you what we changed and by how much, without referring back to any notes. He's also very down to earth - not affected by his success at all, and I admire that a great deal.

Toshi Azuma, general manager, Subaru PR/Marketing:
Tommi is a quick, very spectacular driver, but also a very professional one. He shows respect, and my first impression was that he didn't behave like I thought a four-times World Champion would. He never talks down to anyone. I respect this side of his character and, of course, the work he has done to support and coach Petter.

Matt Finney, transmission technician:
Tommi has delivered some amazing stage times during his career. I remember last year in Kenya when he set a time a minute faster than everyone else - he was completely in a class of his own. He can be very, very fast. Whenever we're in service and Tommi talks, everyone always just stops and listens to what he has to say - we all know that he's a legend.

Paul Howarth, team manager:
He's a man of experience. He's got so much experience in the Championship - especially from a competitive level. He's won on every surface and on practically every event in the Championship. He's got an in-depth knowledge and has always known what he wanted to achieve. We're going to miss him.